It's September! [Vera Family Goals]

It's here! A new month! Every time we hit a new month it seems to take me by surprise. Summer is coming to an end and here in Texas that means, the chain of 100 degree days has been broken. The weather is becoming tolerable which will allow us to go for evening walks as a family. I feel like the past three months have been a whirlwind. Things at home have continued to run smoothly however both my husband and I know that it can be better. Our teamwork can be better as husband and wife and also as papi and mama.

So since we are starting a new month we wanted to set some goals for us. Personal goals and family goals. We went out last night to a new spot for dinner and talked about our goals for this month. Reconnecting during a busy week is so important for us and what better than to reconnect over some good barbeque from Heim? I know Jax doesn't look too thrilled to be third wheel on his parent's date night but he really was excited. Probably a little jealous too that he couldn't eat the brisket yet.

We want to encourage you to make some goals for yourself this month. Take a look at your life and pick a couple things that you're passionate about and really go for it this month. Pick an area that you need improvement and commit to making it better. Whatever your goal is, remember the cliché statement... no goal is too big or too small! Commit to achieving them, celebrate when you do, and go ahead and ride the motivation into the next month and set some different ones. Here's a peak into our goals for this month.

Family Goals
Manage our finances better.
Find a house.
Pack our lunches during the work week.

Fabian's Goals
Stop drinking Coke.
Read more to Jax.
Take my wifey out on dates.

Bee's Goals
Complete a Whole30 (for real this time).
Stop saying, "No, it's ok."
Speak more Spanish.

What are you goals? Share them with us!
-F & B and Jax

New Season. New Day

I once heard Khloe Kardashian say, "you make a plan and then God laughs at it." Obviously that quote didn't originate with her but there is some truth to that statement. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think God is laughing at us because our plans are horrible. I think God sometimes may chuckle because He knows that His plan is way better than what we think we can do on our own.

With all that being said, my maternity leave has come to an end and God has told me to head back to my job. Let me be the first to tell you that I did not see this curveball coming. This was not the plan. Not my plan at all. This is the part where God is probably laughing because He knows the end goal of His plan. He knows that it's a real stretch of my faith to trust Him because my true desire is to be home raising our little Jax.

When I look back at all the different seasons of my life and all the plans that I thought were perfect, I am realizing that God pretty much took things into His own hands. He reworked what I thought was a flawless plan and rocked my world with something even better.

So on this Monday as I am entering my office again, sipping my coffee from my Mom mug, I am going to remember that I am a Mom who is following God's plan for her family. That this once again, is a new season. I am going to remember that God already knows the reason, the purpose, and the why behind this plan. I am excited for the moment when my family will look back on this season and say, "God knew it all along."

-B

5 Mama Life Hacks

Yesterday was one of those Monday's that nothing got done at my home. However, the reason nothing got done at my home was because my husband took the day off and we spent it together as a family. I loved yesterday but the mama in me wanted to get the laundry done, finish my grocery list, and for the love of all things holy...take out the garbage that was stinking up the kitchen.

When Amanda from allthatsdarling tagged me on instagram to share my #mumlifehacks I thought how perfect! I am a new mom (7 weeks and 3 days to be exact) so my mama hacks are still under construction. But, yesterday I was able to put one of them to the test.

1. Family over everything, and that includes the laundry. 
What doesn't get done today will get done tomorrow. We've all left a load of laundry in the washer, dirty dishes in the sink, and gotten McDonalds because we still haven't gotten groceries. It's ok, your family functions better when you're connecting and spending quality time with one another.
2. Say yes to the help.

Whether it's your baby daddy, grandparents, or a grocery store employee. Say yes to the help. I am learning this even with my husband, it's like I want to be this super mom who does it all. Obviously I have a pride issue that is still being worked on. But when he says, "I got it love." I need to let him. When someone offers to load up my groceries, I need to let them.

3. Your life is great but it's not just about you.

Conversations when you have a newborn can be very self centered. I've been consciously reminding myself in conversations to really make the other person the focus. Turn it back on them and remember their life is just as cool (if not more) than mine. I need to ask them about it!

4. Your crockpot is your bestie! 

I've been letting my crockpot cook my dinner one night a week. Not only does it make my husband think I've been slaving away in the kitchen all day because our house smells amazing but it saves me mucho time! 

5. Celebrate your success.

Sometimes as a mama you feel like you're doing nothing right. Take the time to celebrate your success. Whether it's a conversation with your baby daddy talking about how your teamwork was awesome that day or arriving to an event clean and on time. (looking passed the fact that only one hand has nail polish on it because you didn't have time to paint your other nails.) Celebrate the fact that your a mom and you're killing it! 

-B

5 Lipstick Must Haves [National Lipstick Day]

In honor of National Lipstick Day (yes, there should be a day dedicated to lipstick) I thought I would give you my 5 lipstick must haves to throw in your purse, wristlet, or diaper bag that come straight from my collection.

I believe a good lipstick shade can really pull your look together, make you feel confident, and can make your smile shine even brighter! I don't claim to know all the greatest shades out there, I just know what I like. These are my most worn, most repurchased, and best bang for your buck lipstick shades.

1. Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid in Nude Thrill: $7.99

2. Mac Stain Lipstick in Brave: $17

3. Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 01: $14

4. Milani Color Statement Lipstick in 26 Nude Creme: $4.99

5. Wet n Wild Liquid Catsuit Lipstick in Nice to Fuchsia: $4.99
[click the links to add them to your collection]

-B

Positive Pregnancy- Third Trimester Update

Pregnancy changes a lot. A baby changes a lot. I've known from a young age that I was meant to be a mama. I was aware of the adjustments that came with creating a little family however, I never fully thought of how it would effect my body. I have found myself body shaming and comparing my bump with others who are also pregnant. I've looked at myself in the mirror and thought, "Ugh... I look horrible" or "I feel so fat" or my latest body shaming comment, "I am so wide!"

Over these next 8 weeks (or less... hopefully not more) that I have left carrying my first child, I am making a promise to myself to stop the body shaming. I am going to stop the negative comments I saying and I am going to stop the complaining. Yes, my feet don't fit into anything but Birkenstocks and chanclas. My body temperature has no sense of regulation and can go from cold to burning up in a matter of a minute. I pretty much roll out of the bed or am shoved out by my husband. I've added a couple chins to my face and feel swollen all over. But news flash... I am creating a human!

What a woman's body was created to do is a miracle. The fact that I can feel this little boy inside of me and my body has adjusted to make room for all the growing he is doing is amazing. Over these next few weeks of carrying my son I am going to focus on just being the best mama I can be. And that includes embracing all the extra curves, all my chins, and rocking my Birkenstocks right into the labor and delivery room.

5 Month Bumpdate

23 weeks, 5 months of life for our little Baby V. I am and will always be so amazed at our God of miracles. The miracle of life is just that, a miracle. For God to create a body to create another body just blows my mind. As I continue to read about the development of our baby boy I am so humbled to know that God has chosen me to be his mama. And even more grateful to have such a loving husband and papa to be along side of me during this journey, he has a lot of grace towards me during this season.

Up to now I have had a pretty smooth journey. My bellybutton is in this odd transition that just makes me laugh every time I look at it. My nose has developed superpowers which is a blessing and a curse depending on the scent being smelled. I am fully embracing this double chin that I am rocking and reminding myself that this body won't be like this forever.

I love feeling my son's movements and have even spotted my belly moving from the powerful punches and kicks he gives his mama. He responds to our voices and also any type of music that is playing in the car. He likes to jam alongside of us! And I promise you, this boy already has a solid sense of rhythm. I haven't been craving anything strange however, I do get picky and more specific about my food every now and then. As he continues to grow the time between restroom stops has decreased for me. It's been important to not only know where the emergency exits are at all times but also where the restroom is. Don't get in the way of a pregnant woman who needs to pee.

Time has seriously been flying by, I cannot believe that we're getting closer and closer to meeting our son. To seeing what color his eyes are and if mine and Fabian's curls will be passed onto another generation. To revealing to the world the name that God gave us for our little bear cub. We will continue to await your arrival with so much anticipation!

-B

Adios 2016 | Hola 2017

2016 was a year of sitting back and watching God's hands at work over our lives. Not only did we get engaged and married in 2016 but we also announced that God was adding to our family with a little one (baby Vera to arrive in June 2017). This whole year we've been surrounded by family and friends celebrating life. We don't plan on changing that, cause we sure do love our family and our friends. 

Engaged. 

Married. 

Baby. 

Some other awesome things happened in 2016, our church released a new single called 'Plans for Me' that has been an anthem for our lives as well. Being able to record with family was a dream come true!

We were able to travel to Michigan a few times to be with family, celebrate Gramma's life before she went to be with the Lord, and also celebrate with family and friends who were unable to attend our wedding.

After our wedding we were blessed to spend a week in San Diego. It was the perfect way to start our lives together as we soaked in the sights and the sun! We were also blessed by family who wanted to celebrate our marriage with us.

 We both grew in our relationship with God in 2016, as well as gained confidence in our leadership as members of Tree of Life Worship. We've grown in unity and have sensed the presence of God like never before. 

Going into a new year always has us thinking and coming up with a list of of goals and "to-do's." This year as husband and wife we do have a list of goals but as always we will continue to allow God to guide our steps and be obedient to what He says. We have teamed up in agreement that in 2017 we will change our prayer life by stopping to thank God and be grateful instead of asking God for what we want. We can believe that God will give us what we need as well as bless us with what we want when we present grateful attitudes. We're believing BIG for 2017 and want to use our lives to inspire others along the way. Hola 2017! 

-Fabian & Bee